The Football Forecast

Benzema is the missing asset of a title winning Arsenal side

Arsenal is closing in on the signing of prolific French striker Karim Benzema, despite trying to acquire his services for several years Madrid has reportedly now said he can leave for £45 million (Daily Mail)

Arsenal will have a fantastic chance at the title if they sign Benzema; the Community Shield victory was not a fluke, I observed an Arsenal side fulfilling the potential that they have been showing for years. Arsenal has one of the best midfields in the world; Carzola was beyond phenomenal in his last campaign, Wilshere is as good as anyone if he can remain fit although he has now been ruled out with a hairline fracture; Mesut Özil is consistently world class possessing the ability to quickly change a game with Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain & Coquelin getting better every year and still have lots of potential to continue improving. Add the experience of Flamini, Arteta & Rosický and you have a midfield possessing quality in abundance.

The back four is also fantastic, the acquisition of Čech will do nothing but sure up a solid defence. Koscienly is one of the world’s best centre-backs forming a strong partnership with World Cup Winner Per Mertesacker; Bellerín is a brilliant young talent at Right-Back currently being favoured over Debuchy with Gibbs and Monreal giving the option of strong choice at Left Back.

Arsenal need a consistently World Class striker and for me it is an obvious element that has been missing since Thierry Henry departed for Catalonia. The only real out & out strikers are Danny Welbeck & Oliver Giroud, as good as they both are they do not fall into the World Class category that is a necessity for a club like Arsenal. Oliver Giroud has drastically improved in recent years scoring 14 Premier League goals last time out, but he still falls short of the bracket consisting of such superstars of Suárez, Agüero, Costa, Lewandowski and of course Benzema. Danny Welbeck only netted 4 times in the Premier League last season but he tends to thrive as a centre-forward frequently contributing to others scoring.

One must consider the contributions of Theo Walcott & Alexis Sánchez, Walcott is rumoured to be starting as a striker this season but it will take him time to become accustomed to the role. Even if he manages to stay fit the striker’s instincts may not instantly be there, he may not frequently judge whether it is appropriate to make runs in behind or it be advantageous to come short. Contrary to Sánchez who is likely to remain as a wide forward; undoubtedly one of the world’s best last season he scored many goals driving Arsenal to a respectable 3rd place finish, if he were to line up alongside a striker with similar traits and abilities to Sergio Agüero Arsenal would have a formidable forward line capable of winning the league.

Karim Benzema would join the club with the experience of winning the Liga BBVA, Champions League and Copa Del Rey amongst others. He has consistently scored over 20 goals each year since 2010 in all competitions, his experience playing amongst World Class players will add an extra dimension to Arsenal has been missing. Benzema is prolific possessing the ability to be versatile, he is extremely effective in the air which will be advantageous with how quick Arsenal’s midfield is. He is also extremely dangerous playing on the shoulder of the last man utilising his pace to get in behind the back four. Benzema is the last missing asset of the best Arsenal side that Arsène Wenger has had in many years which could certainly inspire and drive them to winning the Premier League.